Balangir: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi today criticized the Odisha government for failing to spend the District Mineral Fund (DMF) for the welfare of tribals.
During his one day visit to Balangir, his 3rd visit to the state in last 26 days, he said, “Odisha has got more than Rs 4,000 crore due to our (BJP-led Central Government) decision to create District Mineral Fund. It will help in the development of the tribal areas where mining is carried out. Unfortunately, the state government hasn’t been able to spend that money for the welfare of the tribals.”
The PM also highlighted about the development projects launched by him in Odisha during his recent visits to the state.
“In a month, more than Rs 20,000 crore of development projects have been either inaugurated or initiated in Odisha. Projects worth more than Rs 1,500 crore in sectors like education, connectivity, culture and tourism, that have been launched today, will not only spur the growth of Odisha but also of eastern India,” he said.
Coming down heavily on the Opposition parties, the PM said, “Some parties were against organizing International Yoga Day. They raised questions on erecting the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. They were also against changing the names of islands in Andaman and Nicobar islands.”
“My pro-poor decisions have enraged people who used to loot public money. They have now been deprived of the opportunities to plunder public money,” he added.
Mentioning about the achievements of the BJP Government, he said, “In the last 4 years, we have cancelled around 6 crore fake ration cards, gas connections, scholarships. We plugged this leakage, saving crores of money. All ration cards have been digitised and around 80% of ration cards have been linked with Aadhaar.”
PM launches several development projects in Odisha
Modi today dedicated Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) Jharsugudaand other developmental projects to the Nation. The Prime Minister has inaugurated a new railway line from Balangir-Bichupali. He has also laid foundation stone for permanent building at KendriyaVidhyalaya, Sonepur.
The Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Jharsuguda is built at a cost of Rs 100 Crores. It will facilitate EXIM and Domestic cargo including Private Freight Traffic. MMLP is located adjacent to Howrah- Mumbai which is 5 km from Jharsuguda Railway Station. Many important industries like steel, cement, paper etc are located around the facility and will be benefitted from it. The Multi-Modal Logistics Park will establish Jharsuguda as a prime logistics hub in Odisha and boost ease of doing business in the State.
The PM has also launched the following development projects –
Electrification of 813 km of Jharsuguda-Vizinagaram and Sambalpur-Angul lines at a cost of Rs. 1085 crores. It will ensure seamless rail connectivity on the line.
Doubling of 13.5 km Barpali-Dungaripali and Balangir-Deogaon road line. The doubling of line will give a boost to industrial capacity in Odisha.
Dedicated of Bridge no. 588 between Theruvali-Singapur road station. It will result in rebuilding of the linkage over Nagaveli river which was washed away during floods in July 2017.